Dunkin’ surprises with upset in $300,000 Dan Patch Stakes

Weaving between horses in mid-stretch, harness racing driver Kyle Wilfong urged Dunkin’ (Pet Rock) on to victory at odds of 20-1 in winning the $300,000 Dan Patch Stakes Friday (Aug. 9) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. It is the second straight year that Wilfong has driven the winner of the stake.

The 13th race 31st edition of the Dan Patch Stakes got underway with Christchurch (Lewayne Miller) leading the field to the opening quarter mile in :26 with El Rey (Yannick Gingras) sitting in the second place. They raced single file to the half mile in :54.3.

Then Buzzsaw Russ (John De Long) came first-over in the backstretch, followed by Charlie May (Brett Miller) and third-over was Dunkin’ and Wilfong. The three-quarters was reached in 1:22.2.

Coming down the long stretch, Buzzsaw Russ looked to be the strong horse but then approaching the finish, three horses came at Buzzsaw Russ, race favorite Coach Stefanos (Trace Tetrick), Dunkin’ and Charlie May. With a huge surge at the finish, Dunkin shot by Buzz Russ and won by one and one-quarter lengths in 1:49.1. Buzzsaw Russ ended up in a dead heat for second with Coach Stefanos and Charlie May fourth in the photo finish.

DUNKIN’ REPLAY

It was a lifetime mark and the ninth this season win for Dunkin’. The four-year-old gelding is trained by Scott Di Domenico for owner Betty Jo Clegg of Northfield, Ohio. Bred by Stonegate Standardbred Farms, Dunkin’ paid $42.00 to win.

“He’s a good horse,” Wilfong said about Dunkin’. “He’s won more races than the majority of them. He just speaks for himself. We were following two good horses, and the fractions were pretty good for it. He had plenty of kick at the end.”

Wilfong won the 2023 Dan Patch Stakes with Ponda Warrior.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink